Pastoral Letters
You may have seen a survey carried out just before Christmas showing that a number of people were uncertain concerning the details of the Christmas story. Some people didn’t know where Jesus was born. Others were unsure as to where Joseph took Mary and Jesus when they fled from Bethlehem. For many people, Christmas is not so much a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus as a time for families to gather and for presents to be exchanged.
Before he went into the desert, Jesus at his baptism was proclaimed as the beloved Son on whom God's favour rests. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus left the Jordan and was led into the wilderness where he was tempted. Traditionally the desert was seen as a lonely place, where there was no hospitality, no protection, where a person was utterly alone facing hostile forces. There was no where to hide and a person was exposed to the truth about himself or herself. In the desert Jesus is tempted to deny his identity. The devil challenges him: If you are the Son of God, prove it.
We have recently heard of the dire consequences of what could happen to our world if we do not do something about climate change. Literally millions of people could be at risk due to rising sea levels. Countries, cities and towns could disappear under water. Other areas could be affected by drought and vast numbers of people could face starvation. In addition fish stocks and marine life are under threat and face extinction.
On Wednesday, with the blessing and giving of ashes, we begin the season of Lent. This is a time to renew the life of our communities and to deepen our personal relationship with God. We are preparing to celebrate Easter and in many of our parishes, to welcome new members. In the words of Hosea we are allowing the Lord to lure us into the wilderness so that he can speak to our hearts – to the heart of our communities and to our individual hearts.
Over the summer months we were blessed in having three ordinations to the priesthood and seven to the diaconate - three deacons on their way to priesthood and four who are now serving their parishes in the permanent diaconate. In comparison to some other dioceses we are better off for ordinations to both the priesthood and diaconate, but we cannot be complacent.
In the Gospel proclaimed today we hear that Jesus went around Galilee teaching people about the Kingdom of God. The message of Jesus was good news for those who listened to him and allowed his words to change their lives. His words were powerful and life giving; they brought healing to those in need and restored dignity to people who felt disempowered. Jesus drew out from each person his or her truth; what he or she had in the heart, especially about themselves. Jesus was and is an educator.
One of the cards I received this Christmas wished me a new year in which I would be able to dream many dreams. In the Scriptures dreams give people hope and direction. They are not make-believe. They are life giving.
On Wednesday, with the blessing of ashes, we begin the season of Lent – 40 days of renewal leading to the celebration of Easter. Lent is sometimes described as a journey. As we begin that journey, what do we hope to find at the end of it? What do hope to become as we journey together?
Traditionally on the Feast of the Holy Family we reflect on the life of Mary, Joseph and Jesus and how they relate to one another. It is easy to fall into the trap of seeing the Holy Family as the cosy and perfect family.
For sometime now I have become more aware that though people have an understanding and experience of belonging to a parish, they do not have such a strong sense of belonging to the Diocese. People are often hard pressed to give an answer to the question: What is a Diocese? Yet the Diocese is important in our understanding of what it means to belong to the Church. The Diocese is described as the Local Church and that Local Church, we proclaim every Sunday, is One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic. We are an entire Church but not the entire Church.
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